Chot drops Calvin Abueva and Raymond Almazan from Gilas pool

Paul Lintag on Jan 22, 2018 09:38 PM

In the latest development surrounding Gilas Pilipinas, head coach Chot Reyes has decided to drop Calvin Abueva and Raymond Almazan from the national team pool.

At least for the second window of the opening round of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Australia on Feb. 22 and against Japan on Feb. 25.

"We're dropping Abueva and Almazan for the second window, they haven't showed up," Reyes said after Gilas practice Monday at the Meralco Gym.

"It's simply a matter of disinterest. I guess they're not interested so we have to move on, we can't wait for those guys," he added.

To start 2018, Gilas Pilipinas has been holding once-a-week practice every Monday.

The national team already has three sessions under its belt and Abueva and Almazan are yet to report for duty.

"I don't know if anyone told them but right now we made that announcement today. It's been communicated with the team and the reason it's not been communicated with them is because they're not here," Reyes said.

"How can we communicate with them if they're not here?" he added.

Reyes, who missed practice last week, got to training Monday. He went straight to Ortigas from the airport following a recent trip to Australia.

Th outspoken head coach also said that players have no reason to miss Monday practice since it's very light in the first place.

"The key for the Mondays only practice, kita niyo naman it's very light, so the guys who have a game in the D-League tomorrow or had a game in the PBA last night have absolutely no reason not to be here," Reyes said.

"The only reason they're not here is because they don't want to be here. It's just a question of dedication and desire. Kung gusto mo maraming paraan, pag ayaw mo maraming dahilan di ba?" he added.